Ardie Savea Picked as Captain; 4 New Caps in Dave Rennie's 1st All Blacks Squad of 2026
- On Monday, New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk announced a 34-man All Blacks squad, appointing Ardie Savea as captain for the upcoming Nations Championship tests against France, Italy, and Ireland.
- Coach Dave Rennie finalized the selection alongside assistant Neil Barnes and Graeme Henry, prioritizing a fast-paced game with 11 players from the Super Rugby-winning Hurricanes.
- Four new caps joined the squad, including Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia, wingers Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo, and Auckland-based Blues backrower Anton Segner, who earned selection after an outstanding Super Rugby season.
- Moorby called his inclusion 'surreal,' while Segner felt emotional after Rennie's surprise call, with the 23-year-old saying "just like any typical mother, she's just started crying, so I started crying too."
- The team prepares for three Nations Championship tests starting with France in Christchurch on July 4, Italy in Wellington on July 11, and Ireland in Auckland on July 18.
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Rennie names four newcomers in first All Blacks squad
New All Blacks caps (from left) Anton Segner, Xavier Numia, Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby pose during the squad announcement at Feilding Yellows Rugby Club in Feilding yesterday. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie could have been forgiven for naming 34 Hurricanes players in his first squad yesterday.
All Blacks name Test squad - and NO Springbok fan should be worried
New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie on Monday named Ardie Savea as captain, promising “optimistic” rugby ahead of July Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy and Ireland. The 62-year-old Rennie has returned to New Zealand after coaching Japanese side Kobe, replacing Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach just over a year before the Rugby World Cup. ‘Tried and tested’ While he had the ideal opportunity to blood new talent and make a fresh sta…
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